rather dull; but they were merry enough when the pantomime began, for it
was full of fun, from beginning to end, and Charles could not help
exclaiming every now and then, "Oh, what capital fun!"

He was very much astonished at the wonderful tricks performed by
harlequin with his magic sword, for to those who have never seen a
pantomime before, it must be rather surprising to see a wheelbarrow
turned into a steam carriage, and an umbrella into an arm chair. But
what amused Charles and Peter more than all the rest, was a large pie
which was brought in and placed on a table, where the king and queen,
with several lords and ladies were sitting at dinner, all seemingly very
anxious to taste of this pie. But the moment it was cut, a whistling
noise was heard, and a number of little birds hopped out of the pie, and
flew away, leaving the dish quite empty, to the great amusement of all
the boys and girls in the theatre, who laughed very loud indeed.

But pleasure cannot last for ever. The pantomime was soon over, and as
Charles went home, he said he should like to go to the play every night,
all the rest of his life--"Ah, Charles,"--said his papa, "we are all apt
to like what is new to us, but you will find out, my boy, that people
get tired even of pleasure, if they have too much of it."




CHAP. IV.


CONVERSATION ON HISTORY.